so someone asked about Chilly Hilly. It's a beautiful ride. but in some ways it's worse than the STP because a million people ride it and it's a lot smaller place (an island!). It's also the "first" ride of the season and we saw many people out on their new bikes for the first time.
We rode our tandem and came very close to running other bicyclists over because of their erratic actions. (Lady stopping in the middle of the street on a hill, for example, right in front of us) we saw bikes that were obviously just purchased worn by people in shiny new clothes. And they didn't know how to shift their gears yet. . The route for Chilly Hilly is so beautiful, i want to do THAT again, but if we do it with the rest of the gang, we'll be on the early ferry so we miss the mob. There were also people who had no idea about riding any distance, and came out in the sneakers and shorts and were in serious pain at the end of the day. Hilly = really means hills!
The natives are incredibly patient and friendly!